Executive Director Message |
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Hi dear friend,
We begin March with a feeling of hope and anticipation as international travel loosens and the desire to visit our friends in the Holy Land begins to look like a genuine possibility after more than two years of waiting.
These years have been much more difficult than before, according to all our peace partners. You’ll see updates from several in the below newsletter.
I apologize in advance for a longer than usual Pilgrims' Post — there’s so much to share with you. I did not want to wait another month - so I packed it all in here for you.
I hope you can join us at our first webinar of 2022 on March 26th with "Come and See, Go and Tell." (You’ll see the details in the newsletter below).
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or there is anything I can help with — just reply to this newsletter and it will get to me.
Blessings to you and yours,
Essrea Cherin, Executive Director
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Board member Anne Weirich is the first visitor to Mar Elias in two and a half pandemic years. She shared a brief update with us from her conversations with Father Chacour and MEEI administrators:
Currently the priority is scholarships. So many students’ parents who lost their jobs and they need the help. Many students too were not able to continue attending during the pandemic which puts a real strain on the entire budget with the loss of tuition.
The school is focused on helping MEEI students to rebuild their lives after the pandemic, including films, meetings with social workers and counselors, and socializing for healing.
Another primary concern is to create green space on the MEEI campus. Currently the grounds are merciless and gray pavement and buildings with no shade or green place to relax, play, socialize, and heal.
Message from Abuna
Abuna Chacour shared a new message to pass along to you — the many across the country whose hearts have been touched by his love of humanity and care and concern for a more peaceful planet. You may listen to it here.
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MEEI recently received a visit by a representative of the French government, Admiral Philippe Alquier of “Œuvre d’Orient”, who is visiting Christian schools in Israel and Palestine and will select a handful to receive funding to offer French language classes.
Admiral Phillppe visited MEEI last week (pictured with Abuna) and was very impressed with the campus and the serious interest in offering French classes to students and also the plight of Palestinians in the Galilee.
He promised to visit again soon and to connect MEEI with schools in France for exchange opportunities.
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We wish to share with you the 2021 Annual Report which summarizes highlights, activities and projects from 2021 as well as some of the updates we had shared through the year from our peace partners.
You can also view details on the success of our fundraising resulting in generous grants to our partners in Israel and Palestine.
We hope you enjoy reminiscing!
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Come and See, Go and Tell: March Webinar
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As part of the Embodying the Way of the Prince of Peace Lenten Series, sponsored by the Central Pacific Conference Palestine Israel Network, Pilgrims of Ibillin will be the featured guest on the third segment, entitled "Come and See, Go and Tell,” incorporating powerful stories of those who have traveled to the Holy Land and experienced walking in the footsteps of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
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Many visitors to Palestine hear these New Testament words of Jesus (John 1:39-41) from Christian Palestinians they meet. Those who travel to the Holy Land and spend time meeting Palestinians find both Christian and Muslim folks eager to share their lives, tell their stories, and hear our stories in return.
Very few who travel to Palestine on a pilgrimage or witness trip come home unchanged. In addition to powerful spiritual experiences, we remember the people we have met. We find we cannot forget the difficult, unjust conditions under which the people we have come to know by name live their lives.
Most transformative is that, by the time we return home, we have met true peacemakers. In time we discover that we, ourselves, are called to act as peacemakers as well.
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The Pilgrims of Ibillin have brought many to Palestine-Israel to support the work of Archbishop Elias Chacour (BLOOD BROTHERS, WE BELONG TO THE LAND) and the Mar Elias Educational Institutions which he founded. Additionally, visitors meet peacemakers both in Israel and the West Bank. Trip leaders will share their vision and witness to those journeys and pilgrimages in the Holy Land ... and they will be joined by pilgrims who have returned home to become the makers of peace.
We hope you can join us
Saturday, March 26
12pm ET | 11am CT | 10am MT | 9am PT
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Additional webinars in the series are as follows:
Parents Circle Peace Witnesses Robi Damelin
and Bassam Aramin — March 12
Daoud Nassar of Tent of Nations — March 19
Walking the Path of the Prince of Peace
Meditation on the Series — April 2
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Seraj Webinar – Save the Date
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Save the Date and Register for
Seraj Library Project
Webinar
Saturday, May 14
12pm ET | 11am CT | 10am MT | 9am PT
(and 7pm in Palestine)
Pilgrims of Ibillin will host our peace partner, Seraj Library Project, to learn about their current activities and how they have been serving the needs of communities across Palestine to offer books, culture, and convening spaces.
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Diyar Women's Soccer Team |
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The Diyar Women's Soccer Team on the National Championship for the fourth consecutive year!! Mubarak for this incredible success!! We are happy to support this worthy endeavor! |
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If so, first of all, huge gratitude for your steady contributions. We so appreciate being able to count on your support each month.
Most of you have made the switch to our new and improved credit card processing system, thank you!!
If you’ve not yet done so, please go to this donation form and input you information again in order to continue monthly payments.
When completing the form you’ll need to make sure to click the little box just below the Amount field, as is shown here:
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And if you’re not already a monthly donor, well, we sure appreciate your considering becoming one!
We thank you for your help to cultivate a just peace for all in Israel and Palestine!
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New Dates: Pilgrimage September - October 2022 |
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We would love to have you join us on our
Living Stones Pilgrimage
to Israel & Palestine
September 29 - October 11, 2022
Pilgrimage Leaders:
Instructor, Rev. Dr. James Thomas
West Bank Tour Guide, Usama Nicola
Tour Coordinator, Brenda Mehos
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“Living Stones” Pilgrimages are unique
tours of witness and pilgrimage in the
service of peace in the region a third of humanity call “The Holy Land.”
Since 1995 Pilgrims of Ibillin has taken nearly 350 individuals on two-week pilgrimages to Israel and Palestine. Led by Pilgrims staff, board members, and local partners in the West Bank and the Galilee, we visit Christians, Muslims, and Jews who work to plant and nourish the seeds of a just peace. Our tours include visits to holy sites and conversations which connect our experiences with our faith.
You’ll get to meet and hear from those working for a just peace from organizations such as the Christian Peacemaker Team, Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, Hebron Defense Committee, Youth Against Settlements, Parents’ Circle, Wi’am: The Palestinian Conflict Transformation Center, and more!
You’ll visit historic treasures such as the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque, Church of the Nativity, Manger Square, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Sea of Galilee, amongst many many other heritage sites.
For prices, itinerary, and to indicate your interest, contact:
Brenda Mehos
+1-303-928-0923
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Your donations will support the ongoing work of
Pilgrims' Peace Partners in fostering peace
through education in Israel and Palestine.
Thank you.
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Essrea Cherin
Executive Director, Pilgrims of Ibillin
(303) 928-0923
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